Our Response To The FAQs

What are crosswords?

Crosswords, in their primary form, are nothing but ‘word-meaning’ exercises, where ‘words/phrases’ form the ‘clues’, while their ‘meanings’ form the ‘solutions’, which have to be inserted in the blank portions of the grid.

Who can solve a crossword?

Any person, with a simple knowledge of English language, can solve crosswords. As a matter of fact, anyone who is capable of giving the meaning/synonym of a word, is fit enough to attempt a crossword.

What are the types of crosswords?

There are broadly two types—simple and cryptic. Simple crosswords have direct clues with no element of puzzle or hidden hint embedded in them.
Cryptic crosswords are more complex, in which the direct clues are camouflaged in a longer word chain, which also comprises an additional hint, which is in the form of a puzzle.

How did it all begin?

The first published crossword was created by Arthur Wynne, a journalist from Liverpool, in the December 21st issue of New York World in 1913. Originally Word-Cross, it was renamed Cross-Word, which later lost its hyphen. The first book on crosswords was a collection of New York World puzzles. The crosswords reached the UK where it gradually became more difficult, evolving into ‘cryptic crossword’.

Isn’t Crossword an elitist pastime?

That has been because crosswords clues carried British-centric references and remained confined to elite newspapers till recently.
All that is changing now. There has been a growing awareness among the teaching and the student communities that the mind game can be leveraged as an excellent learning tool. To make Crosswords relevant for them is what Extra-C aims at.

Does it help improve language?

Studies suggest that an average individual uses only 40 per cent of her vocabulary in day-to-day communication. Crosswords by inculcating lateral thinking tend to make the latent words in your sub consciousness come alive leading to a robust communication skill, both spoken and written. You also learn the ropes of creative writing through crosswords.

Why crossword for students?

A majority of school students come from rural backgrounds. Though bright and hard-working, they lack required proficiency in the English language. In a competitive job market, this proves to be their Achilles’ heel.
Crosswords would provoke them into building a good functional vocabulary. It will add tremendously to their soft-skills and confidence, putting them on a par with private public school students.

How CCCC, ACAD and IXL help?

They serve as competitive platforms for a unique pursuit for learning and fun. These aren’t mere events, but a mechanism for imparting language education to people of all age-groups and strata. A determination to excel, a sense of achievement and a sense of being part of a fraternity driven by a common passion are some of the obvious benefits that the events bring for their participants.

Are there perceived benefits so far?

Since 2013, Extra-C has created a sizeable database of stakeholders – principals, teachers, students and parents. We solicit their feedback regularly. According to them, the crossword events have inculcated a sense of interest in the English language and could be a great enabler for students particularly, in the hinterland, in an age when communication is the key to success.

Any long-term benefit for students?

A self-confident and bright student on a par with his/her city-bred public-school counterpart is what we envisage in the long run. Out of school, in the admission queue of a top college or at the threshold of taking a professional plunge, student must not lose out just because he/she could not express her hard-earned knowledge. Student must have the right communication skill at his/her command. That is what we seek to achieve.

THANK YOU

    A not-for-profit-organisation, Extra-C came into existence on June 26, 2013 and since then has become a byword for quality in terms of providing a platform for quality extra-curricular pursuits. As its focus area, Extra-C’s mission is to promote crosswords among the youth and the adult alike.